Negotiations about a pay rise are currently underway between the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) and the State Government.
Last week, 10,000 nurses and midwives walked off the job for 24 hours. NSW nurses and midwives are calling for a 15% pay increase and superannuation backdated to 1 July.
On Tuesday, the union announced nurses and midwives will receive an interim 3% wage increase, backdated to 1 July 2024.
NSW nurses and midwives call for pay increase
In May, the NSWNMA asked the State Government for a 15% pay increase, penalty rates for night shifts, and improved working conditions.
The Government offered a 10.5% pay rise over three years, which the union rejected.
In June, Victorian nurses and midwives negotiated a 28.4% pay increase over four years from the State Government. The new agreement included penalty rates and improved working conditions.
Negotiations
The NSW Industrial Relations Commission recommended the NSWNMA should enter four weeks of “intensive negotiations”. Union members accepted this recommendation on Tuesday.
This period will consist of meetings between the union, State Government, and the Ministry of Health.
The union said during these negotiations, there is an agreement that ensures nurses and midwives can “focus on patient care and not other duties”.
